Clay Campbell, owner and operator of the Kentucky Opry Theater, shared stories with the Princeton Rotary Club last week about his musical journey, the growth of his theater, and the roots of Cowboy Church.
Campbell, a musician for 61 years, said that to talk about how the Kentucky Opry got started, he had to share how he began playing music in 1964, when he traded a saddle and a pig for a guitar.
click to download audioAbout a year later, Campbell formed his first band and, at 16, hitchhiked to California, spending a couple of months living as a hobo. His travels led him to join a band in Kansas City, launching his professional music career in 1970.
Despite facing challenges—including two divorces by age 27—he met his third wife, Barbara, a bartender, who he said marked a new beginning. After recommitting his life to Christ, the couple, now married 46 years, launched the Kentucky Opry Theater in 1988. He said the idea came after a weekend trip to Cadiz, where he spotted a building for sale in a local newspaper ad.
He rented the building for $600 a month and quickly filled it with sold-out talent shows. Before long, he purchased his own building and two and a half acres in the Benton and Draffenville area. On December 31, 1989, the Kentucky Opry Theater opened its doors for the very first time, offering 300 seats.
click to download audioSince 2000, Campbell has also taught violin, mandolin, and guitar to young people, many of whom now have successful music careers—a result he finds deeply rewarding.
In June 2010, he started a Cowboy Church in the Kentucky Opry Theater building.
click to download audioCampbell also answered questions from Rotarians about the impact of COVID on the Kentucky Opry, explaining it was a tough period where they lost money with every show.
click to download audioHe mentioned that some groups regularly perform at the Kentucky Opry and noted that after COVID, some of them requested higher pay.
click to download audioCampbell noted the Kentucky Opry will launch its 38th season in January.
The Kentucky Opry Theater is located at 88 Chilton Lane in Benton.
To hear Campbell’s full presentation, click on the audio link below:
